Theatre review: Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story

From one musical theatre extreme to another, and straight after a big, brand-new and decidedly messy show, I'm crossing the river for a compact chamber musical that's been a fringe favourite since its 2003 debut. Stephen Dolginoff's (book, music and lyrics) Thrill Me is subtitled The Leopold & Loeb Story, and follows a crime shocking even by 1920s Chicago standards. Framed by a parole hearing for Nathan Leopold (Bart Lambert), now in his fifties, he's given one last chance to shine a new light on one of the most written-about murders of the century, and convince them that one of the "Thrill Killers" is safe to go back on the streets. Leopold & Loeb famously inspired the play and film Rope which, for their time, are comparatively obvious in the homoerotic subtext to the central relationship. Writing in the 21st century, Dolginoff can all-out make it text as we go back to meet the two men aged 19.

Theatre review: Mary Rose

A couple of years ago J.M. Barrie's Quality Street turned out to be a forgotten gem. Now his odd little ghost story Mary Rose receives a revival, but though not without its moments, proves to be no lost classic. In the 1880s, when she was 11 years old, Mary Rose disappeared on a tiny Hebridean island. About a month later the girl reappeared, unaware that any time had passed. Her parents keep the mystery from her, a secret that could have tragic consequences now Mary Rose (Jessie Cave) is 17 and preparing to get married. The story is bookended by scenes set in 1919 when a young man (Charlie Kerson) returns from Australia to the now-derelict house where she lived, now rumoured to be haunted.